Data Zone
Country/territory: China (mainland)
IBA Criteria met: A1, A3, A4i (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria please click here
Area: 210,000 ha
Protection status:
Site description
Located in the southern part of the Altay Mountains, near to the Chinese borders with Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia, 100 km west of Altay City and 450 km north of Urumqi. The Burqin River is a tributary of the Ertix River, which flows into the Arctic Ocean. There are extensive reedbeds and grasslands along the Burqin River, and it is important for breeding and migratory birds.
Key biodiversity
Non-bird biodiversity: Nationally protected animals include Ursus arctos and Cervus elaphus, and the fish Hucho spp.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2020) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Burqin River and Kanas Lake. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 19/02/2020.
